This post is a long time coming and all pictures are extra large because this is an extra special post. It originally was going to be written as "Evelyn's First Week of School" but it just took too long to post so then it stretched from her first week to her first year of school.
This post will be the
Highlights of Evelyn's First Year of School.
Daddy helping Evelyn get on her new shoes.
Evelyn putting her lunch away for the first time!
The first week was nerve wreaking for me but not for Evelyn. She didn't even look at us when we dropped her off on her first day. Her teacher had to tell her to say bye to us. Oh, how they grow.
School was very fun for Evelyn, all year long. She made many friends and became The Girl That Hugs Everybody and when she hugs them, she would also lift them up. Evelyn is the biggest in her class so it wasn't hard for her to do it but it is not safe in anyway for her to do it. Every time, "Do not lift just hug. No don't lift. Evelyn I said not to lift him!" Every time. The kids loved it though and would ask her for hugs all the time. Evelyn has always been the mothering type and school hadn't changed that in her. She became more chatty and listened less to us since she started school but she became an even bigger helper. Evelyn loves to help every one in any way she can and I'm glad that school only encouraged that.
Evelyn's school does fun extra days and I'm sorry that I didn't really take any pictures of her dressed up. One of the first special days she had was for Dieciseis de Septembre (September 16th); Mexican Independence Day. We live in Texas, and maybe it's just South Texas that does this, but we recognize Dieciseis de Septembre because it was important that Mexico gained it's independence from Spain. This often is confused with Cinco de Mayo which is actually celebrating a victory for Mexico against French invaders which became a turing point in the war. Mexico gaining it's independence meant that later, Texas was able to gain it's independence from them. Stepping away from the history lesson; to celebrate, the kids all brought something from or about Mexico to class and talk about what they brought. Tio Stevy, by this time, was back from his mission in Mexico and he had brought souvenirs so Evelyn took two things to class and talked about them. She was very excited and her teachers said she did well.
Thanksgiving came and Evelyn and I made a turkey. We were given a picture of turkey to disguise so that it wouldn't be eaten for Thanksgiving.
Can you guess who are turkey is impersonating? Sheriff Callie! We used scrapbook paper, penne noodles for the fence and went outside to find weeds. The only thing we didn't do by hand was Sparky, whom was a print out. We used him because "Sheriff Callie always needs Sparky!" as Evelyn declared.
Christmas was when Evelyn's class was visited by an elf and left gifts for all the kids. Evelyn had lots of fun at Christmas time. We receive a gift from her for Christmas; a picture of Evelyn wrapped in green and Christmas lights. She was a tree...so adorable!
Texas Public School Week was all about dress up! It was fun! One of the days was "Dress what you want to be when you grow up." Evelyn first said, "Firewoman!" and said because that's what Daddy is. A fireman. So I asked her if she wanted to be an EMT or a doctor like Daddy too. She was hesitant and didn't want to say no. I could tell she didn't want to disappoint us by not being like Daddy. I told her that she didn't have to be like Daddy, that she could be whatever she wants.
"Really?" she looked surprised.
"Really. Now what do you really want to be when you grow up?"
Her eyes brightened and she shouted, "I want to be a race car driver!"
So my mother in law pieced together blue Dickies and a small men's work shirt to make a racer's jumpsuit. I made felt patches of actual name brands. She loved it.
Graduation was May 15th. She did so well! The kids sang for us. Each class took turns on the stage while they all sang. Evelyn's class was on stage for De Colores. They sang four songs. Evelyn was amazing and it surprised me how well she did, considering that she often got into trouble during graduation practice.
After we took our pictures with Evelyn, we took her home, she changed her clothes and we went to McDonald's.
50s Dance!
50's week was so fun also! On Wednesday, we went to the school to watch the Pre-K 4 perform. Evelyn had so much fun and did such a wonderful job. We didn't get in the very front row but we still had a fair view. The first class, my mom's class actually, finished first and when Evelyn's class went backstage, two people got up from the front row. I ran, literally, to take a spot and I was able to film the whole thing from the front row! Yay!
Ms. Benavides, Evelyn and Ms. Garza
All four of us in Evelyn's classroom after her dance.
Evelyn and Harvey Principal Ms. D. Mireles
Nurse Cox and Evelyn
Evelyn and Grandma Garcia
Evelyn, Grandma Garcia and Raven
After the 50s dance, we were able to take Evelyn home. She changed her clothes and we went to McDonald's.
The last week of school, the last week of May, was all about fun! Monday was Memorial day so the students didn't have school. Tuesday was Field Day where the kids were able to play outside with water. Parents were asked to send extra clothes and shoes and the kids were able to wear any shorts (that weren't short shorts) and also a hat.
Last day of school was a half day.
and surprises were made...
Evelyn came in to take off her boots, unbeknowest what awaited her.
Gives Daddy her back pack for the last time this school year.
"Is all this for me?"
"Yes it is! Give me a smile and look at the camera!"
"Now dig in!"
And boy did she dig in!
Looks like she liked it! We let her just eat as much as she wanted since it was the last day of school.
She ended up eating nearly half of it. Good thing she just had lunch at school.
Later, after Grandma and Grandpa came home, teachers didn't get a half day, we went out to eat.
Then we went to McDonalds to get ice cream and let Evelyn play.
It was a great last day of the first year of school!
Evelyn's response when I asked her what she remembers about school:
"I remember about playing on the play ground. I remember seeing my teachers around. H* Elementary school used to be my new school. Then we had new kids come in. A long time ago, I remember, you were at my new school, Daddy was at my new school, Raven was at my new school and I was at my new school. I was playing at PE this week all the time I was playing at PE, all week long and I would go to the cafeteria after PE then when we were all done eating our food at school we would put it in the trash can then when we were all done with our work we would give it to Ms. Garza so she could put the smily face. That's all I need to remember."
I want to break this down for you, really for me to remember everything Evelyn was talking about in the future.
Evelyn put emphasis on Harvey Elementary not being her new school. She's grown and school is not new for her anymore, and even though you can never get a first back, it is a nice feeling not being new to school. When Evelyn talked about all of us being at school with her, she was remembering her first day of school. I think PE was her favorite part of school first, then eating in the cafeteria with her friends. The work she would give to Ms. Garza was their weekly homework they did every Tuesday. Evelyn was so happy with herself when she would turn in her homework. Getting her to focus on it was rarely smooth but she was so happy when she would finish it. She would show it off to Daddy and which ever grandma we were living with at the time.
Evelyn did so well during her first year of school. She had challenges, we as her parents had challenges, but she adapted very well to going to school everyday and doing homework, eating in the cafeteria, just about every part of school she did so well in. She was great with her colors and shapes, though she didn't always give right answers to be silly, and she perfected the alphabet and cleared on her numbers!
We are so happy with our grown girl
EVELYN!
